The General's Custom Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers: 2026 Evaluation

The General has carved out a distinctive niche in the auto insurance market by specializing in custom car insurance solutions designed for drivers who face challenges obtaining coverage elsewhere. With an overall rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, The General demonstrates a particular commitment to flexibility and personalization, offering coverage tailored to the needs of high-risk motorists, including those with accident histories, traffic violations, or suspended licenses. This 2026 review examines what makes The General’s custom insurance approach unique, and whether it delivers value for drivers in difficult situations.

Why Custom Car Insurance Matters: The General’s Market Position

The insurance landscape often leaves high-risk drivers with limited options. The General fills this gap by building custom car insurance packages that adapt to individual circumstances rather than applying one-size-fits-all formulas. Operating across 46 states plus Washington D.C., the company structures its offerings around driver needs, including provisions for SR-22 filings when required by state law.

The company’s focus on customization means drivers can assemble policies that match their specific situation. This flexibility is particularly valuable for individuals rebuilding their driving records or managing situations like suspended licenses. The General’s willingness to serve this segment distinguishes it from mainstream competitors.

What Sets The General Apart: Key Strengths

The General’s custom car insurance platform highlights several notable advantages:

• Rideshare Protection: Coverage extending to commercial driving activities
• Gap Insurance Availability: Extended coverage in select states to bridge the gap between vehicle value and loan amounts
• SR-22 Specialization: Streamlined handling of court-mandated filing requirements
• Flexible Policy Design: Ability to tailor coverage combinations to personal circumstances

Customer interactions reveal responsive support systems. When representatives were contacted for inquiries, responses came within two minutes with comprehensive answers to all questions raised.

Areas for Consideration: Coverage Limitations

Despite its strengths, several limitations merit attention:

• No Accident Forgiveness: Any accident, regardless of fault, can trigger premium increases
• Absent Safe Driver Rewards: The General doesn’t reduce deductibles based on driving safety records
• Premium Premium Positioning: Both full coverage ($197/month) and liability-only coverage ($117/month) trend above national averages
• Higher Complaint Patterns: The company’s complaint index reaches 2.910 according to NAIC data, more than double the industry average of approximately 1.0

Coverage Flexibility and Customization Options

The General provides six primary coverage categories enabling drivers to build custom car insurance packages:

• Liability insurance (mandatory in most states)
• Collision protection
• Comprehensive coverage
• Gap insurance
• Custom parts coverage
• New car replacement provisions

This structure allows drivers to select the combination matching their vehicle type, financial situation, and risk tolerance. The variety supports the company’s mission of serving drivers with non-standard insurance needs.

Emergency Support Services

The General offers 24/7 roadside assistance including towing up to 15 miles, lockout services, and fuel delivery. However, this service remains unavailable in California, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Pricing Structure for Personalized Coverage

The General’s rates reflect the company’s focus on serving high-risk segments:

Full Coverage Costs: Averaging $197 monthly, The General’s full coverage pricing runs approximately $7 above the national average. This middle-ground positioning undercuts major carriers like Nationwide, GEICO, and Progressive for many drivers.

Liability-Only Pricing: At $117 monthly, liability-only plans sit roughly $4 above national averages but remain competitive compared to major insurers’ offerings for equivalent coverage.

The custom car insurance pricing model accounts for multiple variables:

• Driver age and experience
• Vehicle age and type
• Specific location and ZIP code
• Number of vehicles insured
• Desired deductible levels

Personalization extends to available deductible options, typically ranging from $500 to $2,500, with the flexibility to adjust coverage combinations.

Discount Strategies and Savings Opportunities

While not all discounts receive public promotion, The General highlights eight primary savings avenues:

Premium Payment Options: Paying in full for six or twelve-month policies unlocks savings; some states offer quarterly payment discounts.

Multi-Car Discount: Insuring multiple vehicles qualifies families for reduced rates.

Homeowner Advantage: Home ownership—even with coverage elsewhere—may trigger eligibility for discounts.

Safe Driving Records: Drivers maintaining three to five years accident and violation-free histories qualify for reductions.

Academic Achievement: Full-time students with good grades access lower premiums.

Vehicle Safety Features: Cars equipped with airbags and factory-installed safety systems may qualify for savings.

Defensive Driving: Completing approved defensive driving courses can produce premium reductions.

Temporary Deductible Adjustment: Some states allow drivers to temporarily double deductibles for the first 45 days in exchange for immediate savings.

Discount availability varies by state, and documentation requirements apply to certain offers.

Real-World Claims Handling Performance

Navigating the claims process with The General involves straightforward steps:

Immediate Response: Ensure safety of all parties, contact emergency services if necessary, and exchange information with other drivers.

Information Gathering: Collect accident details including date, time, location, other driver information, and police report copies when available.

Claim Initiation: Photo uploads via mobile app represent the fastest submission method; telephone service provides alternatives.

Adjuster Contact: Claims adjusters reach out within several days to review circumstances, inspect vehicles, and outline next steps.

Documentation Submission: Promptly provide requested paperwork to prevent processing delays.

Processing Timeline: The General targets 30-day claim resolution for most cases. Simple property damage claims often settle within a week, while injury-related complexities may require extended periods. The company received a D- rating from CRASH Network for claims handling quality.

Mobile Platform and Technology Access

The General’s smartphone application streamlines policy management:

• Request quotes for new policies
• Process bill payments or arrange payment schedules
• Access and download digital insurance ID cards
• File claims and monitor resolution progress
• Contact customer service or schedule callback appointments

App Performance: Both Apple App Store (4.7/5 stars) and Google Play Store (4.7/5 stars) ratings reflect strong user satisfaction with the mobile interface.

Addressing Common Concerns

The General vs. Progressive: The General’s rates typically run about $5 lower monthly for minimum coverage and $8 less for comprehensive policies. Individual rate variations depend on age, location, driving record, and credit factors. Comparing personalized quotes yields the most accurate comparison.

The General vs. GEICO: The selection depends on priority. GEICO offers greater customization, usage-based insurance options, accident forgiveness, and wider discount ranges alongside lower complaint ratings. However, GEICO premiums generally cost more and serve high-risk drivers less accommodatingly. The General becomes preferable when securing coverage proves difficult elsewhere.

Custom Car Insurance for Your Situation: The General’s model of building custom car insurance packages particularly benefits drivers facing standard market rejections. The flexibility to assemble coverage matching specific needs represents a meaningful advantage for this population.

Evaluation Methodology: How We Assessed The General

This review analyzed 20 distinct auto insurance plans using weighted scoring across critical categories:

Coverage Evaluation (20%): Features including new car replacement, gap insurance, accident forgiveness, and deductible reduction options received assessment.

Average Cost Analysis (40%): Savvy Insurance Solutions’ proprietary models analyzed over 3 million data points from 20+ major insurers. The standard policyholder profile: a 48-year-old driver with a 13-year-old vehicle in an average-income area seeking comprehensive coverage.

Customer Satisfaction (20%): Scoring incorporated NAIC complaint data (10%) plus CRASH Network service quality assessments (10%).

Discount Availability (10%): Points reflected the breadth of discount options offered.

Application Performance (10%): Average ratings from Apple App Store and Google Play Store at publication.

Pricing Data Sources and Methodology

Unless specified otherwise, Savvy Insurance Solutions provided pricing estimates. This firm operates a national insurance marketplace and agency, generating personalized estimates through machine learning models incorporating 3+ million data points from 15+ major insurers and 2+ million insurance accounts connected via Trellis Connect.

Model variables include policyholder age, vehicle count, ZIP code, vehicle age, insurance provider selections, and additional proprietary factors. This granular approach allows adjusted scenarios such as teen drivers in specific states or new vehicle coverage, producing highly tailored predictions.

Coverage Definitions Applied:

• Full Coverage: Comprehensive, collision, and liability protection combined
• Average Policyholder: 48-year-old driver with a 13-year-old vehicle in standard-income location
• Senior Driver: 70-year-old with comprehensive coverage
• Good Driver: Spotless record across all coverage types and vehicles

The General’s custom car insurance model ultimately serves a specific market segment well—drivers for whom standard options prove unavailable or unsuitable. While premium positioning runs slightly elevated and complaint metrics exceed industry norms, the company delivers on its core promise of accessibility and customization for high-risk motorists seeking viable coverage solutions in 2026.